Whether fans like it or not, football is more than just a sport, but is there a danger our big two clubs could be left behind in the money stakes?
Everton and Liverpool have to compete in the Premier League against teams funded by some of the wealthiest people in the world, and that means matching them in multi-million pound transfer deals and eye-watering salaries for players.
Our local clubs have great traditions on the football field, but in the future their skills in the world of high finance are going to be tested just as strenuously if they are to stay at the pinnacle of the game.Join us on Wednesday as we place football finances under the spotlight in our Business of Football online TV programme.
Everton’s top money man, chief executive Robert Elstone, will be joining us in the studio to answer your questions, alongside football finance expert Professor Tom Cannon, and Daily Post head of sport John Thompson. Business editor Bill Gleeson will be chairing the discussion and putting your questions to our panel. There will also be a live blog running alongside the programme allowing viewers to take part in the discussions.
Issues sure to be debated include Everton’s proposed new stadium in Kirkby and whether Merseyside’s clubs can continue to compete with Manchester United, Chelsea and big spenders such as Manchester City.
Corporate financier James Dow, of Dow Schofield Watts in Daresbury, says very few investors ever make money from owning football clubs. He said: “Ultimately what you end up with is an asset, and what you hope is it’s a desirable asset – in some ways like a painting.
“Somebody wants to own the football club. They want that satisfaction of being the owner. And that’s effectively the only way you can make a return. “The only way you can really make a profit on that investment is if somebody perceives it’s going to be worth more in the future.”
Tomorrow’s debate follows the success of July’s LDP Business televised debate on unemployment.
To take part in tomorrow’s debate, send your questions now to trinitymirrormerseyside@ googlemail.com.
Log in from 10am tomorrow to take part in the live blog and put your questions to the panel, and to watch the live TV discussion which begins at 12noon. Go to ldpbusiness.co.uk and click on the link to the programme and live blog. For advance coverage, read tomorrow’s paper.
Source: Liverpool Daily Post.co.uk